Dancing in the Rain

“[31] The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But deliverance is of the Lord.”

How to prepare for the battle?

“[4] So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. ”

“[10] Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.”

“[22] My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.””

Sadhu Sundarsingh.   Neara village  Himalayas ...  black leopard... sat and watched.

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“[3] Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm. ”

(John 11:38–44)

38Jesus, once again deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. 39“Take away the stone,” Jesus said.

“Lord, by now he stinks,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man. “It has already been four days.”

40Jesus replied, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”

41So they took away the stone. Then Jesus lifted His eyes upward and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. 42I knew that You always hear Me, but I say this for the benefit of the people standing here, so they may believe that You sent Me.”

43After Jesus had said this, He called out in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”

44The man who had been dead came out with his hands and feet bound in strips of linen, and his face wrapped in a cloth.

“Unwrap him and let him go,” Jesus told them.

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Resurrection in the Bible is not new… there are 10 recorded incidents about someone being dead and was raised from it.

3 of them in Old Testament and

Jesus did 4 of those and 2 by apostles and

The highest of all – is Jesus resurrecting on the 3rd day.

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Wigglesworth – and his wife…

Old Testament Instances

--- Elisha prayed, for double portion ---

New Testament Instances (Jesus)

New Testament Instances (Apostles)

Major Resurrection

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V39 -- “Take away the stone.” Jesus said.

Before resurrection power was released, human obedience was required. The stone was heavy, the situation smelled hopeless, and four days felt final. But Jesus required participation before manifestation.

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“Lord, by now he stinks,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man. “It has already been four days.”

Unless God has access to the areas of our life – with open heart surgery, we will not have a restoration.

What is easy for Jesus – raising the dead (or) go through the cleanup process?

Principle: God performs miracles, but He often waits for us to move the stone.

#2. Believe to See the Glory — Faith Before Sight

“Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?”

Jesus reverses human logic. We want to see first, then believe. But Scripture consistently teaches the opposite.

Four days dead did not intimidate heaven. Delay does not cancel destiny.

Principle: Faith unlocks glory in situations that look too far gone.

“Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.”

Jesus prayed with assurance, not anxiety. He thanked before Lazarus walked out. That confidence came from intimacy.

<< Charlotte – Hotel >>

Public authority is rooted in private communion.

Principle: When you know the Father hears you, you pray with bold expectation.

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“Lazarus, come out!”

The voice that once said “Let there be light” now called a dead man by name. Resurrection obeyed.

But Lazarus came out still bound. Life was restored instantly; freedom required help. The same God who brings us out also uses community to remove grave clothes — habits, shame, mindsets, and residue of death.

Principle: God brings you out — but He also brings people around you to help you walk free.

Closing Summary

This passage reveals a divine pattern:

The God of Jericho, Carmel, the Valley of Dry Bones, and the fiery furnace is the same God standing at Lazarus’ tomb.

And He is still calling names.

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We need to Transform the next Generation – with what we believe.

We have shown weaker version of Jesus to the next Generation. 

John 11:45: “Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him.”

The raising of Lazarus leads many to believe in Jesus, showcasing how His miraculous works serve as powerful signs that inspire faith and reveal His divine nature.

These verses can serve as foundational reminders of Jesus’ authority, compassion, and the assurance of eternal life through faith in Him.

Have you ever opened the Old Testament and had these thoughts: How am I supposed to relate to these stories? Borrrring…

Primary Text: Judges 4: 4–5

I’m excited to introduce Deborah to you today and show you how God used her as an instrument to lead an entire nation. Her life was marked by devoted service to God and His people, and her story is anything but boring.

Who was Deborah in the Bible?

Deborah was a wife, prophetess, and judge.

Deborah was also the only female in the Bible who was a prophet and judge, joining the ranks of Moses and Samuel.

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1️⃣ Do Everything From Presence, Not Position à Intimacy with God

Intimacy with God – is the #1, Character!

Judges 4:4 tells us Deborah was first a prophetess.

Intimacy with God is experienced through obedience to God. Your personal relationship with the Lord directly relates to how well you serve His people. Deborah had an intimate relationship with God, and it propelled her to live her life in a way that honored Him and His people. In return, God drew near and blessed her.

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2️⃣ Her Courage was Contagious

 Judges 4:3And the children of Israel cried out to the Lord; for Jabin had nine hundred chariots of iron, and for twenty years he had harshly oppressed the children of Israel.

Iron chariots in the Book of Judges were feared because they represented superior, high-tech weaponry—the ancient equivalent of tanks—that rendered the foot-soldier Israelites vulnerable on flat terrain. Commanded by Sisera, these 900 vehicles caused severe, 20-year oppression, showcasing a massive military advantage. 

Barak reluctantly responded, “I will go, but only if you go with me” (Judges 4:8 CSB).

Deborah agreed to his request.

Deborah was not a warrior, but she went into battle knowing God would fight on her behalf.

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The Deborah Factor reminds us:

Your courage is not just for you.

Deuteronomy 31:8 (CSB) says, “The Lord is the one who will go before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or abandon you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.”

This Old Testament truth is one that still stands firm for us today. As we enter into our own battles each day, we can draw courage from God’s power and presence, just like Deborah did.

Matthew 2:

9When they heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they had seen in the East went before them, till it came and stood over where the young Child was. 

Magi – it is a tribe of people.  

When they came – they came in caravan… and 100’s of them accompanies them.    They come with loud noise.  

In fact, Nero, the roman emperor when he was in his peak – killing and burning Rome, when heard that Magi were coming, he rolled a red-carpet to them.

They worshiped one god – they worshiped fire.  

They also had clean vs unclean animals – just like Jews.

Why is this important -

These were the king makers – in the book of Esther 1  - they even say, it is law of the Mede and Persians.  That’s after the Kings consulted with the Magi.

Priestly tribe, influential many kingdoms, interacted with Daniel…

There are 3 groups of Magi’s:

What gives us confidence is not that we are careful enough, but that our God is watchful enough.

Often, we wonder –

El Roi means “The God Who Sees” – I love the kindness and care that this name holds as it points to God’s character.

He sees the hidden snare.

Often, we wonder how am I doing?   We are always looking for approval.  Lot of talk about Green card, Citizenship etc.,

Peer Influence & Conformity:

---  In order to have a healthy walk with the Lord – we need God’s approval and not Man’s approval… 

How do we get God’s approval?   Let’s look at Daniel’s life…

#1: Faithfulness Under Pressure

Insight:

Verse:

"Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room… Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before."

Deeper Insight:

Example:

Modern Application:

Reflection:

🙏 2. Prayer Is Power

Insight:

Verse:

"The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."

Deeper Insight:

Example:

Modern Application:

Reflection:

👑 3. God Honors Those Who Honor Him

Insight:

Verse:

“Them that honour me I will honour, and they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.”

Deeper Insight:

Example:

Modern Application:

Reflection:

👼 4. God Sends Angels in Crisis

Insight:

Verse:

“My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions.”

Deeper Insight:

Example:

Modern Application:

Reflection:

Zechariah 4:2 – 3  (Vision):

V6:  ‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’

V10: For who has despised the day of small things?

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Zechariah 4 is rich with symbolism, encouraging the Israelites to rely on God's Spirit in rebuilding the temple. Let’s examine each element in more detail, with supporting Bible verses and practical examples.

#1:  "Not by Might, Nor by Power, but by My Spirit"

God’s message to Zerubbabel underscores reliance on the Spirit rather than human strength or military power. This message applies to any endeavor where human resources are limited, but God’s power makes a way.

• Psalm 127:1 “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.”

At some point, “We have to stop talking to God about your mountain and start talking to the mountain about your God”

* Anxiety or addiction mountains of depression or fear or shame

* You can’t let that mountain intimidate you

At some point enough is enough

• Obstacle is the way that mountain is gonna make you a bigger person

Whatever you tolerate will eventually dominate that is robbing God of his glory pleasing and perfect will

What are you tolerating that is permissible but not beneficial

What are you tolerating that undermines the price Jesus paid on the cross

• For your salvation

Start talking to that mountain and see what God does.

Zechariah 4:6 encourages you to trust that God’s Spirit can enable the project beyond what human power could accomplish.

#2:  Don’t despise the small beginnings

We overestimate what we can do in a year or two instead of seeing what God can do in 10 or 20

In building the temple:  The Lord says, “Do not despise the day of small beginnings” Why?

God will do big things like they are little things

• When we get our knees in prayer

God sets divine appointments for the Lord rejoices

God is great because nothing is too small he rejoices plum line

• was an ancient architectural device

All you have to do the little things like big things, then God will do the big things like small things

Don’t despise the day of small beginnings.

This vision, then, teaches that God’s work relies on His Spirit, not human might. The temple in Jerusalem was ultimately completed by Zerubbabel and Joshua’s guidance, fulfilling this prophecy and illustrating that God’s Spirit works powerfully through those who trust in Him.

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Nothing is done, unless the father says – it is done.

• When God decides to do something through your life – There is nothing, the enemy can do.

35As Jesus drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting beside the road, begging. 36When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening.

37“Jesus of Nazareth is passing by,” they told him.

38So he called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

48Many people admonished him to be silent, but he cried out all the louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

49Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”

So they called the blind man. “Take courage!” they said. “Get up! He is calling for you.”

50Throwing off his cloak, Bartimaeus jumped up and came to Jesus.

51“What do you want Me to do for you?” Jesus asked.

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When Bartimaeus realized Jesus had stopped and called for him, he threw off his cloak. (Mark 10:50) 

The cloak Bartimaeus was wearing would’ve been heavy. Perhaps this is the reason he threw it off. He didn’t want anything slowing him down on his way to Jesus.  

But perhaps there was something more going on . . .  

At first glance, Bartimaeus throwing off his cloak seems like a minor detail.  

But this is why it’s so important to slow down and pay attention to the little things as we study Scripture. To dig into the context of a verse. And learn about the cultural and historical backgrounds.  

Because throwing off the cloak was actually a big deal.  

• The cloak was an outer garment that was not only used like a long coat but was also used as a blanket at night for protection against the cold.

This garment was so important to the ancient Israelites that they were forbidden to keep it as security on loans (Exodus 22:26-27, Deuteronomy 24:12-13). 

• This cloak would have also served as Bartimaeus’s means of acquiring money. 

Scholars believe he would have sat down and spread his cloak over his lap. This way people could drop money onto the cloak so he could easily collect it.  

Which means this cloak would have symbolized his means to protect himself and acquire what he needed to survive.  

• But it also meant one more thing . . . it was a symbol of his old way of life. And he chose to cast it aside.  

He had complete and total faith that after he met Jesus . . . he would no longer need it.  

It is no coincidence that Paul puts “love” first in the fruit of the Spirit. The Greek word for love in this instance is agape.

It is the highest form of the different kinds of love expressed by distinct Greek words, including eros (romantic love), philia (friendship love) and storge (familial love).

• Agape is the kind of love God has for his creation. It is pure, selfless and self-sacrificing. It seeks the best for others — even enemies — at all times, at all costs. A beautiful description of agape love is found in the Bible verses of

1 Corinthians 13, a well-known passage of Scripture.

God showed his agape love for us in sacrificing his only Son to save us from our sinful nature.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)